Episode 51: Time please gentlemen: Who are the big award winners in the final Upper Bottom episode? (January 28, 2025)
After almost exactly a year of podcasting – spanning 51 episodes – co-hosts Ollie and Cess raise a glass to their favourite episodes, best interviewees, top personal stories, the most fervent supporters and more.
There is a cathartic close to the podcast, as Clare and Clara, wives of Ollie and Cess, respectively, answer puzzlers on what their spouse’s sobriety means to them. The replies – which the hosts hear for the first time on air – will surprise you as much as it does them. This is a fitting end to the 12 months of public therapy.
Thanks so much for your support and warmth. We have had a brilliant year and who would bet against a Christmas special? Seriously, we hope this becomes a useful resource for other Upper Bottoms. Good luck with your journeys.
And whether you want to ditch the booze or not, may the dice be kind, may the wind be at your back, and may the gods turn the occasional blind eye.
Episode 50: Key learnings from 50 episodes of Upper Bottom: Which one is your favourite? (January 21, 2025)
With Upper Bottom hitting a half-century of episodes – woo hoo!! – Ollie and Cess list their top 50 learnings from their sobriety journey. (Booze News and Just the Tonic return next week.)
Episode 49: Last orders: Are you an Upper Bottom waiting for a crisis to stop drinking? (January 14, 2025)
Cess and Ollie welcome local south-east London friend Boo Darlison – who is Matron for Personal Cancer Care, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust – to share her wisdom about how people should invest in their future selves by making good decisions with drink and food before a health disaster strikes.
The interview with Boo comes just as America’s top doctor, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, calls for risk warnings on alcoholic beverages, similar to the labels on cigarettes, following new research that links the drinks to seven types of cancer.
Meanwhile, new stats indicate 22 million (45%) of UK adults are attempting to moderate their boozing, and one in three visits to the “on-trade” – ie pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and bars – are now alcohol free.
Episode 48: From rock bottom to mountain top: Can ultra runner James Gwinnett’s 100-mile inspirational sobriety story change your life? (January 7, 2025)
In the first episode of 2025, Ollie and Cess invite James Gwinnett to discuss his fascinating and insightful story of overcoming depression and alcoholism – he is nearly nine years sober – after a serious rugby injury, and going on to take part in Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins and run a series of ultramarathons.
He’s recently released a book – READY, SET, LIFE, available on Amazon – which recounts James’ experiences in light of his wife giving birth to a baby boy.
The hosts also catch up with friend-of-the-show Ryan, who has just managed 12 months of sobriety – and he has some surprising words of wisdom for listening.
Good luck to those who are trying Dry January. Keep going strong!
Episode 47: Waving goodbye to the year – and to booze: How do you ensure a successful Dry January, and beyond? (December 31, 2024)
After a one-week break for the festive holiday, co-hosts Cess and Ollie return to discuss how their sober Christmas Days went – Botivo was a big hit for Cess! Ollie, meanwhile, shares a story about being sozzled in front of Princess Catherine. Oops!
And, with the news that a record 15.5 million Britons (29% of the adult population in the UK) are planning to participate in Dry January, the pair have plenty of tips to help those giving up booze for a month … or perhaps longer.
Happy New Year to all our listeners. Good luck. Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2025!
Episode 46: Festive party season: How to deal with ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future? (December 17, 2024)
In the final episode before Christmas – the hosts will take a break on December 24 – Cess and Ollie consider embarrassing drinking tales from work dos in the past. They also contemplate how to ensure a sober person can enjoy themselves during the especially boozy party season, and offer some tips and tricks.
Given the time of year, there is also a reflection on the last 12 months – and the pair have crammed a lot into 2024. Needless to say, this would not have been possible had they been still drinking.
Happy festive season to all Upper Bottom listeners – the next episode will run on December 31, focusing on preparing for Dry January.
Episode 45: Merry Christmas: How is society’s relationship with booze during the festive period changing? (December 10, 2024)
With the festive season in full swing, Cess – now a marathon runner – and Ollie explore how norms are changing regarding Christmas drinking. And it seems that really boring lot, Gen Zzz, is to blame (according to the Daily Mail).
A new trend for “Dry Christmas” is gathering pace, quicker than a behind-schedule Rudolph. This movement is being helped by more low- and no-alcohol options.
The hosts welcome Emma Newman to discuss Christmasy alternatives to traditional drinks, plus her sobriety journey, which started over nine years ago.
Episode 44: Setting the ‘right’ example: How does a parent’s drinking habit influence their offspring’s relationship with alcohol? (December 3, 2024)
What was your relationship with alcohol like when growing up? To what extent did how your parents’ drinking habits shape your own? And what do today’s youngsters think about boozing?
Ollie and Cess – who both gave up alcohol at least in part to set a better example for their children – try to answer these big questions.
And to assist with the last puzzler, the co-hosts’ offspring offer their words of wisdom (partly in the hope of becoming world famous, more fool them). The short interviews are sweet and revealing.
In other news, Ollie’s latest column for Low No Drinker Magazine about the slow descent to a boozy Christmas (and how to avoid it) has been published. The lovely editor, Denise, has offered Upper Bottom listeners a 20% discount using the code UPPER20 (expires Dec 31).
Finally, well done (and thank you) certified superfan Tom Bowen for sharing the podcast with the most people! A mug will find its way to you very soon. X
Episode 43: Steps to sobriety: What’s Alcoholics Anonymous like, and do Upper Bottoms need it to kick booze? (November 26, 2024)
To answer this massive question, Ollie and Cess draw upon their own insights and the straight-talking wisdom of interviewee Gary Mairs – aka sobernsound (“sweary sobriety mentor”) on Instagram.
Gary’s catchphrase for his 33,000+ followers is “get to midnight and go again”. He attended AA in April 2014, but struggled with the idea of supplicating to God, or a higher power.
Yet, through meditation and no small amount of determination, Gary beat the booze. Here, he discusses the difference between “survival sobriety” – which is when, in the early days, you just try and get through the days and weeks without a drink – and “emotional sobriety”, and that comes later.
There is plenty of excellent advice for Upper Bottoms – and those who might be falling deeper.
Episode 42: Avoiding rock bottom: What do drinkers hope to find at the bottom of the glass? (November 19, 2024)
Dr Fiona Dowman, a clinical psychologist and addiction specialist, joins Cess and Ollie and shares many illuminating insights for Upper Bottoms – and those who have dropped lower.
What are the signs of addiction? Are some people more predisposed to addiction than others? What are drinkers hoping to gain from boozing hard? And what are the tools and tips to gain better control over one’s “relationship with alcohol”, as Fiona, Founder of Purple Bridge Psychology, calls it?
These puzzlers and more are answered. You’ll also discover the benefits of establishing personal values, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy. This episode is packed with great, timely advice, given we are nearing the start of the indulgent festive season.
Episode 41: Rock (bottom) and roll: Is there an indelible link between music and drinking? (November 12, 2024)
Is a rock-and-roll lifestyle a shortcut to hitting rock bottom?
Cess invites his musical pals Louis Brennan and Tom Bowen, who both stopped drinking during the pandemic, to explore the dangerous dance between sonic creativity and intoxicants.
It’s a wild jig – and a level lower than usual for Upper Bottom listeners. Indeed, Tom reveals that he was shocked into giving up boozing after a doctor said he had only a year left to live if he didn’t change his lifestyle.
However, the episode is timely, given the tragic premature death of musical megastar Liam Payne. RIP.
Episode 40: Rising from Upper Bottom: What have we learnt from our podcast journey? (November 5, 2024)
To mark episode 40, co-hosts Ollie and Cess have a heart-to-heart about the progress of the podcast, which began in February.
They’ve packed a lot in the last nine months, spoken about their troubles and interviewed the great and the good in this space – but has it all been a form of therapy, albeit in a public forum?
The soul-searching comes as listener numbers are stubbornly not rising – but does that matter? What’s next for Upper Bottom? Have Ollie and Cess been cured? Or is that when complacency sets in?
Watch this space …
Episode 39: Trick or treat: Is Halloween and the run-up to Christmas your sobriety nightmare? (October 29, 2024)
When Ollie was drinking, “October 31 sounded the starting pistol to a one-person race for which there were no winners – apart from the venues where I would jollily buy outrageous Yuletide rounds,” he writes in his latest Low No Drinker Magazine column.
“I can now detect, while scrolling back through my phone to revisit nightmares of past Hallowe’en parties, the grinning glee of the two months of booze-heavy chaos about to ensue,” he continues. “In my head, it permitted me to go on the sesh three – or more – times a week until the end of the year.”
Do you feel the same? If so, we have got you.
The so-called Golden Quarter can seem especially scary for newly sober people, but Cess and Ollie arm listeners with the tools necessary to battle and win this busy party season.
Just don’t expect Cess to join you on your axe-throwing night out …
Episode 38: Spirit level: Can we have a grin and tonic without the booze? (October 22, 2024)
Of no-or-low beer, wine, and spirits, the latter sub-category has most underwhelmed Cess since he started his sobriety journey on January 1, 2023 – can this week’s guests change his mind?
The co-hosts are joined by Michael Allen, Co-Founder of Scotland-based Naesip, producer of a non-alcoholic gin, called Munroe (much to Cess’s excitement), and Casa Lumbre Spirits’ Chief Innovation Officer, Iván Saldaña – aka the “spirit whisperer”.
It’s a jolly discussion, and one that begins after the weekly Booze News items – featuring Spider-Man actor Tom Holland’s new non-alc beer brand – and a unique Just the Tonic.
Ollie and Cess would like listeners to recommend Upper Bottom to as many people as possible. The winner – verified on dodgy grounds – has been promised an Upper Bottom mug. So get sharing, and spread the good word (please)!
Episode 37: From booze to CBD: Are ‘functional drinks’ redefining sobriety? (October 15, 2024)
Cannabinoid (CBD) drinks and “functional” drinking are on the rise – indeed, the latter is enjoying a 38% year-on-year increase in the UK, according to Eoin Keegan, Co-Founder & CEO at Goodrays. His drinks are even available as part of the Waitrose meal deal at the moment.
For this week’s episode, Ollie and Cess dive into the CBD space with a fascinating interview with Eoin and Brendan Williams, Co-Founder and CEO of NuWave AF Beer.
The pair discuss the calming effects of these drinks and their many related benefits, and look ahead to the future of socialising across the globe. For non-drinkers, more “third spaces” that don’t revolve around booze are popping up.
Episode 36: Running away with the alcohol-free-beer market: How is Lucky Saint leading the pack – and what’s next? (October 8, 2024)
Ollie and Cess join Lou Pollitt, Category and Insights Director at Lucky Saint, for a 5-kilometre run around Regent’s Park in London. This is a regular community-building event for the leading alcohol-free beer brand, which has rocketed since its establishment in 2018.
The trio meets at the Lucky Saint pub, the company’s headquarters, to discuss drinking trends and plans for the coming years – plus the secret to the brand’s success.
There is also a post-run snippet with Jonty Brown, Founder of Run Unlimited, who led the community run. He has an interesting and inspiring story you should listen to.
Also, for Just the Tonic, Cess does something very unexpected – and quite beautiful.
Episode 35: Drinkaware research indicates a sobering trend: But are UK drinkers binning the booze? (October 1, 2024)
Over 5,000 adults were surveyed for the annual Drinkaware Monitor – since 2009, the UK’s only national survey that provides an insight into the country’s drinking habits, according to the official bumph.
The 2024 Monitor, published on Sept 26, shows:
- Nine in ten UK drinkers moderate their drinking – up from 87% in 2023 and 84% in 2018
- Yet in five (19%) UK drinkers – around eight million people – are exceeding the UK Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk drinking guidelines, and putting their health at serious risk
- Some 28% of people have been concerned about someone else’s drinking in the last 12 months
And there are plenty more findings to discuss in a report that is 76 pages long. Luckily, Cess and Ollie are joined by Drinkaware CEO Karen Tyrell to discuss it all.
Additionally, there is a plug for Ollie’s latest column for Low No Drinker Magazine – issue 10 came out over the weekend. Editor Denise has kindly offered Upper Bottom listeners a 20% discount by using the code UPPER20. Enjoy!
Finally, with it being the first of the month, perhaps you would like to participate in a no-drinking October? Maybe you want to raise money for cancer research at the same time?
This week’s Just the Tonic flags how you can “Go Sober” this October, and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.gosober.org.uk/. Good luck!
Episode 34: Smarter sipping: How can the growing “light” alcohol category help Upper Bottom drinkers? (September 24, 2024)
Cess and Ollie invite Cami Vidal, Founder of La Maison Wellness, and Gaby Lamb, Co-Founder (with her husband) of 6PERCENT, to discuss a new alcohol-free subcategory: light.
The interview – which takes place in Ollie’s kitchen (as everyone is based in south-east London) – covers drinking trends, how long it takes to develop a 6% wine that people are happy with, predictions about the future of socialising, and plenty of advice for fellow Upper Bottoms. And much more. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss, as it’s packed full of insights.
Cami even brings around some sparkling tea, offering a tasty alternative to drinking. And there is the usual Booze News and Just the Tonic – but this is shorter than usual, as the interview was too good to distill too much!
Episode 33: Growing pains: What is needed to help the no- and low-alcohol drinks category come of age? (September 17, 2024)
Ollie and Dan have been busy attending various no- and low-alcohol events, and they are wearing Upper-bottom t-shirts, of course. Here, they capture some of the main takeaways from Drink It In and the Club Soda Low, Light & Alcohol-Free Summit.
So, where is the category right now? And what needs to happen to help it grow? Plus, what is the future of socialising? Is it nootropics bars? We’d love to know your thoughts (via a rambling, stream-of-consciousness voice note, if possible).
Booze News features sober dating apps, sober freshers’ weeks, sober raving, and Mash Gang’s acquisition – and going-on-tangents galore. (What’s your favourite emoji?)
Episode 32: Kicking the cans: What can Upper Bottoms learn from ‘ex problematic binge drinker’ Jack’s year of sobriety? (September 10, 2024)
The hosts catch up with Jack, aka Kickingthecans on Instagram. He previously featured in one of Upper Bottom’s most popular episodes, Final whistle: Why is watching football so boozy, and what’s it like sober?
Now Jack has reached the milestone of a year sober. And, although he won’t be celebrating as such, life is good – and much better than it was 12 months ago.
His mental health is considerably improved, his relationships are stronger, and – even if he has changed, a little – he is not missing the booze at all.
The difference between the before – losing all memory for four hours on his uncle’s stag do (was he in a car park, as his phone suggests?) – and after is incredible.
With the year up, it triggers memories of early sobriety for Ollie and Cess, and the trio offer many insights for those thinking about kicking the cans.
National treasure Tom Daley and supermodel Elle Macpherson feature in Booze News – as does the revelation that Ollie used to also be known, very briefly, as “the body”.
Episode 31: Post-summer reset: Is September the best time to reboot – and quit booze? (September 3, 2024)
For many, September ushers in the end of summer and a halt to holiday indulgence. It’s the second reset month of the year after January, and that means reflection, positive change, detoxification, and possibly action.
Cess and Ollie have both been active, with the former bagging a couple of Munros in the Highlands and the latter bettering Dame Kelly Holmes in the Big Half.
The hosts offer words of wisdom to those thinking about quitting booze this month, and also talk about the growing trend of non-alcoholic drinks, including Guinness 0.0%, and the potential for these drinks to outsell their alcoholic counterparts.
Episode 30: Dry destinations: Which countries are leading the sobriety trend? (August 27, 2024)
In this week’s episode, just before schools reopen their doors for the new term, Ollie and Cess reflect on recent overseas holidays and how sobriety and drinking cultures vary in different countries – and how they have evolved.
Special attention is paid to Ollie’s experiences at a much-loved family retreat on the grape-growing slopes in Perpignan. Meanwhile, Cess takes a detailed look at Sweden, particularly the broader role the state has taken in regulating the supply of alcohol to its citizens.
There is also an item late on about the top five destinations for sober people – and the best-ranking country might surprise you.
Episode 29: Laughter and rhythm without the booze: Can sober events redefine nightlife? (August 20, 2024)
Refreshed after a summer break, Cess and Ollie speak with Martyn Davies, organiser of Sober is Fun, the UK’s first regular sober comedy event, and Ben Jolliffe, who runs Feed the Fire, a no-drink or drugs rhythmic dance focused on freedom and connection.
Both interviewees stopped drinking (and taking drugs) after being subjected to family interventions. Now, though, they are enjoying the freedom of being sober and looking to encourage others through the events they facilitate.
Their timing is good, given that 34% of employees avoid work socials due to alcohol, according to a Booze News item, and there is a growing demand for venues that offer alcohol-free options and activities, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and included.
Here is a recent playlist from one of Ben’s Feed the Fire events.
And here is the ticket site for Martyn’s next Sober is Fun event, on September 22 – perhaps see you there?
Episode 28: Munich’s sober revolution: Can alcohol-free beer gardens change drinking culture? (August 6, 2024)
Before taking a well-earned summer break, the podcast hosts Ollie and Cess interview Sean Halpin, a 24-year old who divides his time between Munich and Manchester. He has also just hit one year of sobriety, too. Congratulations, Sean!
Sean is an aficionado of Bavarian beer and enthusiastic about the trend for sober curiosity in Germany and plenty of no-alcohol options. He also reveals some very interesting reasons why he thinks fellow Gen Zers are less inclined to drink booze – these will likely surprise older listeners. And there are plenty of useful tips for those starting out on their sobriety journey.
As always, there are some Booze News items, and Just the Tonic.
Episode 27: From office to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part three)? (July 29, 2024)
In the third and final episode of the three-part mini-series about work and drinking, Cess and Ollie chat about times when they have been boozing on the job – or at least felt the effects the day after a night on the sauce.
Cess mentions how a clothes shop colleague was once sent to the stock room because he was feeling worse for wear and proceeded to curl up and nap. Ollie shares eyebrow-raising tales from his early career as a sports journalist – three bottles before the rugby union international, anyone?
On the subject of sport, with the Olympics starting, the pair debate the treatment of a teenage Japanese gymnast who was sent home before the competition after someone dobbed her in for drinking (and smoking) at the training base. That item is one of four tasty Booze News bits.
And there is some proper research on the occupations in the UK in which heavy drinking is prominent – some of the top five boozy jobs might surprise you (hint: The Brittas Empire).
Episode 26: From office to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part two)? (July 22, 2024)
For the second instalment of work drinking, Cess and Ollie speak with Liam McNulty – aka Whiskey Richard – who is based in Tokyo. He explains all about nomikai, basically Japanese work parties. There are several layers and dos and don’ts to navigate.
Notably, the sober curious movement doesn’t seem to have travelled that far east – if people aren’t drinking, it’s probably because they can’t afford to.
In Booze News, there is a particularly contentious story about a wedding guest leaving at 9.30pm and taking a whole load of friends with her as it was a dry party – a fact that was not advertised.
And there is an exciting new feature: Just the Tonic. This is a funny story or joke about sobriety to lighten the mood, should the Booze News become too serious.
Episode 25: From office hours to happy hours: Is workplace drinking a recipe for disaster (part one)? (July 15, 2024)
Boozing on the job is certainly not advised, but what if drinking is ingrained in work – or at least after-work – culture?
To help answer this puzzler, Ollie and Cess welcome Tabbin Almond to the pod to discuss her forthcoming book, Bottling Up Trouble. The statistics are shocking: up to 5% of work absenteeism is due to alcohol; and presenteeism due to alcohol costs the UK economy upwards of £1.4 billion a year.
Tabbin laments the slow progress being made here. Did you know that many police stations had bars up until 2016? She calls out various industries where drinking is endemic and provides tips for leaders on changing a business’s culture.
Before that insightful interview, there are four items of Booze News – this week featuring “Milly” (sic) Cyrus, some tips for cutting down on drinking, and, with the Tour de France coming to a head, a topical piece on whether alcohol is good for cycling performance.
Episode 24: Reaching new heights: An Upper Bottom success story – how empowering is sobriety? (July 9, 2024)
A bone-fide Upper Bottom success story! Cess and Ollie visit the home of Simon – who is now three months sober – and his partner, Jadis.
Simon, who works in the financial services industry, shares how alcohol is deeply ingrained in the culture of his profession and how he decided to quit drinking to improve his mental clarity and overall wellbeing – having been spurred to change by listening to this podcast. He has since quit his job. Talk about being empowered!
Jadis, who comes from an Indigenous background, discusses the intergenerational trauma associated with alcohol in her community and her own journey with sobriety. They both express gratitude for the podcast and the support it has provided. We hope you find it a useful tool, too.
The conversation highlights the empowering nature of sobriety and the importance of mental health in making positive life changes.
Before the powerful discussion with Simon and Jadis, Ollie and Cess discuss their 20-mile weekend walk in Kent on the quest for wildness and watching England’s quarter-final against Switzerland in a lively pub in Hythe (also wild).
And, as usual, there is some booze news – this week featuring Woody Cook and Cara Delevingne.
Episode 23: A sobering shift: Will the UK’s new government change drinking culture like it did with smoking? (July 2, 2024)
It became illegal to smoke in all enclosed workplaces across the UK between March 2006 (first in Scotland) and July 2007 (England) – and no one thought it would happen. It just shows the power of government when it puts its mind to something.
On the eve of the General Election, Ollie and Cess ponder whether the new government will have the appetite and willingness to change alcohol laws. To help answer the episode title’s puzzler, they welcome Denise Hamilton-Mace, Founder and Editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, and Blake Gladman, Partner / Strategy and Insight Director at KAM Insight.
There is also a snippet from UK Hospitality’s CEO, Kate Nicholls, and some fun Booze News (and stories) about Wimbledon.
Will it be love-all for no and low alcohol and the incoming government?
Episode 22: Glastonbury unplugged: Is sobriety the new headliner at festivals? (June 25, 2024)
On the eve of one of the biggest field-based parties in the world – 200,000 revellers are expected at Worthy Farm – Ollie and Cess speak with DJ Dom Servini.
Dom changed his drinking habits a couple of years ago to extend his career (and his life), and he shares some incredible stories about being intoxicated at work. When he decided to stop drinking, he had a crisis of confidence, as there is – or perhaps was – an expectation that DJs would be getting into the groove one way or another. Drugs, rather than drink, is the biggest vice within the music industry, says Dom. His journey is influencing others on the DJ circuit, though.
There is also a snippet from musicians Tom Bowen and Louis Brennan on their top tips for attending festivals sober as performers and punters. What’s lost? What’s gained?
Four Booze News items consider the impact of non-alcoholic drinks during the European Championships – Tesco is expecting to sell 5.5 million bottles and cans of “no” and “low” alcohol options – while Glastonbury is trucking in draft beer for 1,200,000 pints (enough to fill two full-size swimming pools). A documentary about Avicii, the Swedish producer who took his own life in 2018 aged 28, is also mentioned. And (alleged) drink-driver Justin Timberlake features.
Episode 21: Booze and the call of the wild: Can we access our primal selves without a drink? (June 18, 2024)
Now for something a little different … In this thought-provoking episode, unveiled on the eve of the summer solstice, Cess and Ollie are joined by guest Becky Burchell as they delve into the complex relationship between alcohol and accessing our primal selves.
The conversation explores the notion that while alcohol has become a societal shortcut for tapping into our wild nature, there are alternative paths to embracing our primal essence.
The trio discusses the importance of reconnecting with the natural world and how spending time in nature can help us rediscover our innate wildness. They also emphasize the role of community and surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who support and encourage our journey of self-discovery without relying on alcohol.
Throughout the episode, the hosts and Becky share insights on the power of rituals and intentional practices in creating opportunities for experiencing wildness and pushing personal boundaries. They examine how societal norms and expectations have limited our access to our primal selves and propose ways to challenge and redefine these limitations.
Join Cess, Ollie, and Becky as they explore the transformative potential of embracing our wild nature through nature, community, and conscious practices, offering a fresh perspective on accessing our primal selves without needing alcohol.
Episode 20: Cheers to Dad: Is Father’s Day more meaningful without alcohol? (June 11, 2024)
This week, Cess and Ollie discuss the relationship between alcohol and Father’s Day.
After attending a low- and no-alcohol event facilitated by KAM Insight and Lucky Saint, the duo, armed with stats, explore the growing trend of moderating alcohol intake and the need for more grown-up options. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting and normalising non-alcoholic choices and the potential for missed revenue in the hospitality industry.
The hosts also discuss the changing social dynamics and cultural assumptions around drinking. The conversation covers various topics related to alcohol and fatherhood, including outdated attitudes.
As usual, expect personal stories and reflections on the impact of drinking on their lives. This week, Ollie and Cess conclude that setting a positive example for their children is paramount.
Episode 19: Final whistle: Why is watching football so boozy, and what’s it like sober? (June 4, 2024)
Navigating sobriety at a football match can be extremely challenging for people seeking to take back control of their alcohol consumption. For gritty stories and expert advice, Ollie and Cess welcome Jack Stirling (aka Kicking the Cans on Instagram), who is almost nine months sober, and Crystal Palace season-ticket holder Nick Houghton, who is just beginning his sobriety journey.
Blackouts, hangovers, and bad behaviour are the ugly side of the so-called beautiful game, as evidenced by the recent Champions League final at Wembley, when 53 arrests were made. And with the European Championships about to start in Germany, we can expect more headlines about boozed-up Brits supporting the Three Lions.
But why are booze and football seemingly inseparable? What is it about the combination of intoxicants? And what can football clubs do to better cater for fans who don’t want to become intoxicated and escape?
Jack and Nick offer brilliant insights and great ideas – but will things change given alcohol sponsorship is ubiquitous?
Before that fascinating interview, Ollie and Cess serve up four tasty items of booze news, including how to identify if you have a drinking problem (that involves cheesecake).
Episode 18: How are attitudes towards sobriety changing? (May 28, 2024)
A bumper episode! In booze news Cess and Ollie discuss mocktails, partying in Ibiza without alcohol, and sober parties. That’s followed by two fascinating interviews.
The first is with US-based lawyer Kris Butler, whose lovely book Drink Maps in Victorian Britain was recently published. She offers an expert perspective on the history of pubs in the last two centuries and the temperance movement, and serves up stats and anecdotes galore.
Then Ollie heads north to visit Stephen Jeffreys at his abode, the Manchester Buddhist Centre. Stephen is the managing director of Hinterland, a new sober bar that will open in the basement in June. He discusses his struggles with alcohol and hopes for the future, not least through more sober bars and enriching the community.
Episode 17: Creating the best pub – what are the vital ingredients for boozers and non-drinkers? (May 21, 2024)
Ollie and Cess debate what elements make the perfect pub. Drawing inspiration from George Orwell’s classic essay on his ideal boozer, the Moon Under Water, the hosts share their preferences for what makes a great pub atmosphere.
They cover everything, from impressive toilets and bar chat-friendly seating to pub games, animals, and the perfect music. The conversation also delves into the importance of cosy nooks, natural fires, covered areas, and a wide selection of low or no-alcohol options.
The pair discuss the evolution of pubs and the need for inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, whether they drink or not, can find warmth, shelter, sustenance, and good company in their local watering hole.
There is plenty of related booze news, including how you’ll no longer be able to buy a drink in a Ibiza after 9.30pm. Talk about party pooping!
Get in touch to let Ollie and Cess know your likes and dislikes about pubs.
Episode 16: Campfire confessions: How do you navigate camping without booze? (May 14, 2024)
Is a smelly, sweltering tent the worst place in the world to have a hangover? What is it about camping that brings out people’s wildness? How did a particularly catastrophic drinking session during a camping holiday bring a premature end to one of Ollie’s romantic relationships? And what happened when Cess accidentally sipped REAL alcohol after almost a year and a half without drink?
These vital questions, and many more, are answered in this “in-tents”, 45-minute episode – pitched just in time for your summer camping trip.
You can also listen to the new “booze news” jingle, and a new outro.
Episode 15: Club Soda special: How can sober venues boost mindful drinking? (May 7, 2024)
In a podcast first, Ollie and Cess record out and about. They visit Laura Willoughby, MBE, founder of Club Soda UK, at Club Soda’s HQ in Covent Garden.
After some booze news involving England rugby star Billy Vunipola, and Taylor Swift’s “functioning alcoholic” lyric, the CDB-drink-guzzling trio discusses the rise of sober venues and the importance of mindful drinking. Laura emphasizes the need for inclusive spaces that cater to both drinkers and non-drinkers, and highlights the growing market for alcohol-free options.
She also addresses the role of big alcohol brands in promoting moderation and providing alternatives, and explores the concept of mood-enhancing drinks and the benefits of switching to alcohol-free beverages.
Finally, Laura offers great examples and encouragement to individuals seeking to make positive changes in their drinking habits and advocates for a society that offers diverse and enjoyable options for everyone.
Episode 14: Miles better: How can running can be a substitute for drinking? (April 30, 2024)
In the afterglow of the London Marathon, Ollie and Cess discuss the relationship between running and giving up drinking.
They explore how running can serve as a substitute for boozing, and socialising, and how it can help individuals get on track with sobriety.
The conversation touches on the impact of running on mental health – just ask Russ Cook (aka Hardest Geezer). Charlie Allen, the Founder of Run Social – “a running pub” – who is “99% sober” and this week’s guest, ran alongside Russ during his last marathon across Africa, in Tunisia, earlier in April.
Another former drinker, reality TV star Spencer Matthews, has announced that he is attempting a world record to run 30 marathons in 30 days through the Jordanian desert. He’s mentioned in booze news.
Other booze news includes a man with a bizarre condition that makes his body produce alcohol and the alarming rate of child alcohol abuse in Great Britain – the highest in the world.
Episode 13: St George’s Day special: Does England have a healthy relationship with beer? (April 23, 2024)
Time to slay some dragons!
Ollie and Cess discuss St George’s Day celebrations – have you had your “dragon’s blood” cocktail yet? – with beer aficionado Rupert Ponsonby, who provides brilliant stories and details about boozing in England over the years.
Before that interview, the hosts reflect upon their experiences with alcohol-free dancing (awkward!), their favourite boozers, and the nation’s most popular TV pubs, plus the pros and cons of sobriety – is Cess slipping?
They also celebrate football-hardman-turned-geezer-actor Vinnie Jones’ 11 years of sobriety – and an article about the changing drinking habits in the pub industry. Choice quotations include: “You can have a few pints because you’re in your 20s. You can run it off and you can get on with it, but drinking is a young man’s sport.” And: “I’ve learnt that ego is not your amigo.”
Episode 12: How much alcohol consumption is too much? (April 16, 2024)
Friend of the pod Paul Walker, a digital engagement practitioner at the charity Change, Grow, Live, discusses his experience working in online support for individuals with substance misuse issues.
He explains how the charity created a web chat platform to provide digital access to its services and the benefits of this approach. Paul emphasizes the importance of reaching out for support before hitting rock bottom and highlights the gender and age trends in online support. He also discusses how to evaluate problematic drinking and the impact of the pandemic on alcohol dependence.
Cess and Ollie have three interesting items of booze news, including Dutch courage in extremis on The Titanic, and Lily Allen on nearly five years of sobriety.
Episode 11: What are the best alcohol-free drinks in the world right now? (April 9, 2024)
The hosts interview Chrissie Parkinson and Chris Losh, who established the World Alcohol Free Awards to address the lack of recognition and understanding of alcohol-free drinks. According to the competition founders, innovation and creativity in alcohol-free drinks are rapidly evolving, with a focus on artisanal and experimental approaches. Good news for the sober curious, then!
In booze news, Cess and Ollie raise a glass to the recently departed Juan Vicente Pérez, who died on April 2, aged 114, after a daily drink of strong sugarcane alcohol. The new oldest living man in the world, 112-year-old John Tinniswood from Liverpool, put his longevity down to “moderation” and weekly fish and chips, rather than hard booze.
Episode 10: What does a year without booze feel like and how do sober movements of the past compare to the present? (April 2, 2024)
In this episode, Ollie – who now boasts a year without booze – and Cess discuss various topics related to alcohol consumption and abstinence.
They explore the perception of alcohol as a poison among younger generations and the growing view that boozing is bad. The hosts also reflect on their own experiences of sobriety and the positive changes it has brought to their lives.
With Cess screwing on his historian’s hat, the conversation then delves into the origins and significance of Lent as a period of abstinence, drawing parallels to modern abstinence movements. The pair ponder the temperance movement and its impact on society, as well as the legacy of prohibition.
Episode 9: Delicious alcohol-free wine – does such a thing exist? (Spoiler: YES!) (March 26, 2024)
Pour away the sickly grape juice! Amanda Thomson made it her mission to create a range of great-tasting non-alcoholic wines, including a sparkling Chardonnay – which co-hosts Ollie and Cess can confirm is exquisitely good.
It took a long time, as Amanda tells Ollie, to create the “perfect liquid”, but now you will find NOUGHTY, the AF range of wines of her company Thomson & Scott, in Michelin-starred restaurants.
In a wide-ranging interview, the pair discuss the global trend for “blended” drinking – imbibing non- or low-alcohol drinks during the week, and perhaps having a glass or two at the weekends, or on special occasions – and how having grown-up AF options increases inclusivity at celebrations (for example, for Muslims) and health benefits.
There are three linked items of booze news, all around hangxiety, and reducing alcohol intake, and Cess discusses his newfound passion: hiking!
Episode 8: What’s the most dangerous thing you’ve done when drinking alcohol? (March 19, 2024)
Taking a break from interviewing guests, Ollie and Cess discuss their experiences with alcohol and the life-threatening situations they have found themselves in while under the influence.
The hosts share personal stories of risky behaviour and regrets, highlighting the need for self-reflection and growth. Are boys / men more reckless with (and without) alcohol? They also explore the human desire for wildness and the role alcohol plays in accessing – and gaining a shortcut to – that state.
And there is a fascinating item of booze news about why hangovers really do become worse the older you get.
Episode 7: St Patrick’s Day special: Do the celebrations lose their fizz when not drinking? (March 15, 2024)
Ahead of St Patrick’s Day, Ollie and Cess speak to three Irish people to better understand the celebrations.
Catherine Doogan offers some historical context, Melissa Kelly discusses going sober in Ireland, and Terry – a barman in the Blythe Hill Tavern – provides some words of wisdom to complete the unholy trinity.
Whether you decide to drink a pint of Guinness or not, know that, on average, it will cost you 37p more than it did this time last year.
Episode 6: What is Mothering Sunday’s relationship with booze like in 2024? (March 12, 2024)
Ollie and Cess speak with Bethan Higson, Founder of Mother Root, an alternative – and delicious – grown-up “switchel” drink, and the trio discuss society’s expectations of women and drinking habits.
Bethan offers some advice to sober curious listeners, and Cess offers a brief history lesson on Mothering Sunday, while Ollie has a confession his own mother might not like …
Episode 5: Extending Dry January – what does two months sober feel like? (March 5, 2024)
Ollie and Cess ask two friends of the pod, Natalie and Ryan, who have been sober for two months, to discuss their experiences with extending Dry January and their motivations.
The guests explore the effects of sobriety on sleep, physical health, and mental well-being. They also discuss the challenges of social situations, the reactions of friends and family (for Nat, everyone wrongly assumes she is pregnant!), and reflect on the cultural expectations around drinking and the changing attitudes towards sobriety.
As always, there are some items of booze news. And – having learnt from listeners – Cess and Ollie have re-recorded the intro.
Episode 4: What is a “Dry Drinker”? (February 27, 2024)
Stuart Elkington, Founder of drydrinker.com, the UK’s top-rated independent low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drink specialist, joins Ollie and Cess for a deep dive into being a “dry drinker”. He discusses industry trends and – praise be! – serves up some passable 0-ish% wine recommendations. In booze news, the hosts consider some of the 546 words Britons have for drunkenness, and – put those beer googles away – how alcohol doesn’t make other people appear attractive after all.
Episode 3: Do you remember the first time? (February 20, 2024)
Julia Linehan, Founder and CEO of B2B adtech PR agency The Digital Voice, joins Ollie and Cess to talk about SPILL – Sober Party Industry Lads and Ladies – and (almost) five years of sobriety. The hosts also discuss their first taste of alcohol, and also how attending weddings and funerals, and going on holiday, for the first time without booze felt. In booze news, the new alcohol-free seating zones at Twickenham – which led to one chap necked five pints consecutively – in England’s match against Wales, is assessed, and there are more stats that indicate the sober curious movement is being led by Gen Z. But the European country leading the charge will (probably) surprise you …
Episode 2: What is “cheat mode”? (February 13, 2024)
Hosts Ollie and Cess reveal their early challenges with going sober – and offer a useful analogy of pals being lifted away on a hot air balloon – before realising the obvious and unforeseen benefits of not boozing. Mindset is everything, and not drinking – rather than moderating drinking – could be the game-changer for you, too. The pair also tackle listeners’ questions, salute Sir Billy Connolly, who is closing in on 40 years sober, and pour cold water on “Safety Shot” – a new drink that claims to reduce hangovers.
Episode 1: What is an “Upper Bottom”? (February 8, 2024)
Ollie and Cess open up about what tipped them into their sobriety journeys, reflect on the rising popularity of Dry January and the trend for younger generations to snub boozing. The hosts also discuss Marcus Rashford’s 12-hour Belfast bender and debate serving non-alcoholic Prosecco at a 13-year-old’s party – would you?
Introducing… Upper Bottom (February 7, 2024)
Are you tired of tragic tales of people hitting rock bottom thanks to booze? Join hosts Ollie and Cess as they explore sobriety through embarrassing drunken admissions, expert interviews, and amusing observations, proving that getting sober doesn’t have to be a bum deal.
Upper Bottom Podcast 